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Palomino grape

White grape

Palomino is a white grape known for almond, apple, saline. Its best-known homes are Jerez.

StyleWhite
Body●●○○○ (2/5)
FlavoursAlmond, apple, saline
Key regionsJerez

Origin and history

An Andalusian grape, grown around Jerez since at least the Middle Ages; legend links its name to a 13th-century knight, Fernán Yáñez Palomino.

Where it grows

Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María in Andalucía; also Galicia, the Canary Islands (as Listán Blanco), South Africa and Australia.

Structure

Medium to full body, low acidity and dry; neutral grapes that become fino, manzanilla, amontillado and oloroso sherry.

Aromas, young and aged

Fino/manzanilla: almond, apple, saline and bread dough. With age (amontillado/oloroso): walnut, toffee, orange peel and spice.

Ageing

Fino and manzanilla are best fresh after bottling; long-aged amontillado and oloroso can last decades.

Also known as

Palomino Fino, Listán Blanco (Canary Islands).

Good to know

Grown on Jerez's white albariza chalk soils, it is the grape behind nearly all dry sherry, aged in the solera system under flor.

Wine regions for Palomino

Jerez-Xérès-SherryManzanilla-Sanlúcar de BarramedaCondado de HuelvaLebrija

Palomino wines to try

Real bottles from The Wine Library.

Fortified · Spain

González Byass Tío Pepe Fino

Jerez · Jerez-Xérès-Sherry · Palomino

Bone-dry and tangy: green apple, almond and salty, yeasty notes.

Food: Olives, jamón, salted almonds

Fortified · Spain · Diego's Selection

Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla

Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda · Palomino

Bone-dry Manzanilla: saline, almond and fresh bread.

Food: Olives, jamón, prawns

Fortified · Spain · Diego's Selection

Bodegas Hidalgo Alameda Cream

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry · Jerez · Palomino, Pedro Ximénez

Sweet cream sherry: nuts, raisin and caramel.

Food: Desserts, cheese

Fortified · Spain · Diego's Selection

Lustau 125 Aniversario Manzanilla Pasada Papirusa

Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda · Palomino

Aged Manzanilla pasada: nutty, saline and deep.

Food: Jamón, almonds

Fortified · Spain · Diego's Selection

Delgado Zuleta La Goya Manzanilla

Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda · Palomino

Classic Sanlúcar Manzanilla: tangy, saline and fresh.

Food: Fried fish, olives

Similar white grapes

Sauvignon BlancRieslingAlbariñoVerdejoViuraLoureiroArintoAligoté

Explore all grapes in the interactive guide

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